Portfolio ‘24

I teach in order to share my life's passions.  I teach in order to help you find your life's passions.  People who have found their passions know the freedom of discipline, respect others, and have opportunities to make contributions to the culture of humanity - perhaps even to the culture of the planet!  If your passions live in my territory, I'll do my best to help you make a set of maps.  If you can't find your passions in my vicinity, they do exist somewhere.  It's your responsibility to find, develop and manifest them.  Go with my love.

The following documents are designed for students of singing, whether in my own studio, receiving short-term coaching, or just visiting this site. I am grateful to the many wonderful teachers who have encouraged me, and from whom this material is developed. Enjoy!

Upon Entering the Studio

nurtured.jpg

In addition to Shin'ichi Suzuki's wonderful book on the philosophy of teaching and learning, you will need a set of references to develop a solid foundation.  


Download All New Student Start-Up (Updated 01/2024)

Download Bienen Entering Student Checklist (Updated 01/2024)

Download Repertoire List Template (Updated 01/2024)

Download New Student Health Intake Form (Updated 01/2024)

Download Healthcare Supplement (Updated 01/2024)

Download The Entire Handbook (Updated 01/2024)

Download Required and Suggested Readings

Learning Styles

Here are several different websites with quite different ways of processing data that you supply. There are many more to choose from. Please try some out, see what results seem consistent and share those outcomes with me. These insights may help us communicate efficiently and enjoyably.

www.learning-styles-online.com  

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

https://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=results

Studio Handbook

Here is a document that you’ll want to read, print and keep in your binder of current scores for regular reference.

Download Studio Handbook

Practice

Practicing well and evolving in your practice habits will be the Number One influence on your development as a singing artist. Here are several documents to support you in your progress.

Download Practicing

Download Text Process

Download Seven Principles

Download On Practice and Performing

Download Practice Colloquium Presentation

Role Study

Materials

Studio Recital from the Northwestern's Bienen School of Music featuring students: Julianna Smith, Andrew Pulver, Tejas Gururaja, Lucas Gao, Alexa Bartschat, Cameron Duggins, Audrey Neace, Janse Barkley, Piper Miller, Ray Faiella, Norah Bernstein, CC Barfield, Will Schindler, Annabelle Sweet; with pianists Jason Carlson, Charles Foster, Karina Kontorovitch, and Yun-Hua Chang.

This webinar-style presentation is a sampling of the year's work in the studio of Patrice Michaels.  Each singer will introduce two selections from their repertoire recorded live from the Bienen School of Music, including context and visual art representations.

In addition to the reference books I require, here are many practical lists for sourcing scores, additional bibliographic and related singing materials.

Download Score and Translation Search

Download Bibliography

Career Development

Here are some basic materials to support your quest for a career in singing.

Download Audition Techniques

Download Career Development

Testimonials

  • Patrice is a profound teacher and mentor in my life. She was my first voice teacher (we worked together for over ten years) and she taught me invaluable skills for singing that I have carried with me throughout my career thus far. She is a caring, intelligent, warm, and inspiring teacher, performer, and person, and I am so fortunate to continue to learn from her.

    Alisa Jordheim, soprano | Alisasuzannejordheim.com | Guy Barzilay Artists

    Teatro Nuovo, Paris Opera, Caramoor Festival, San Diego Opera, Baltimore Symphony, New York Opera Society, Virginia Opera, Central City Opera, Merola Opera Program, Palm Beach Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Fulbright Scholar, Fellow of the American Scandinavian Foundation…

  • Patrice challenged me technically and artistically from our first lessons together, but she also encouraged me to pursue all of my passions and inspired me with her own varied creative projects. There is nothing one-dimensional about Patrice and I would not be where I am today as a singer or person without her.

    Jeni Houser, soprano | JeniHouser.com | Sempre Artists

    Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Opera Theater St. Louis, Los Angeles Opera, Dallas Opera, Madison Opera, Minnesota Opera, New Orleans Opera…

  • Patrice was the first teacher I ever studied with privately. My time with her was deeply meaningful and formative on both a musical and technical level. So much so, in fact, that I have based much of my own artistry and pedagogy—I’ve taught voice at the college level for over fifteen years now—on her incredible example. It is not hyperbole to say that, without her, I would not be the person or musician I am today. If you are lucky enough, as I am, to have Patrice Michaels on your team, you can count yourself lucky indeed!

    Charlie Christenson, vocalist, pianist, songwriter, educator | http://www.charliechristenson.com/projects | Associate Professor of Voice, Berklee College of Music

    Formerly Head of Voice/Director of Graduate Programs McNally Smith College of Music, University of Southern Maine, Biophilia Records co-founder, Liquid Music Series, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Summer Spark Music Creator Camp founder, Foray Music YouTube Channel, Downbeat Magazine outstanding undergraduate vocalist

  • Patrice was an inspirational teacher in my life. I came to her with some significant issues due to a bad match with a previous teacher. She was so creative and constructive, and got me out of my mind and into my body. She was able to get me back on my feet vocally while also teaching me so much about healthy singing and immersing myself in interpretation. Patrice fostered such a collaborative, supportive and constructive atmosphere in the studio. This helped us feel like a family, and also helped me to develop language, tools and perspective on how to help other singers. I still use some of the things from her “toolbox” in my teaching today. Thank you, Patrice!

    Rachel Warrick, soprano, choral artist and teacher | http://themcp.org/rachel-edie-warrick | Madison Choral Project, Music of the Baroque, Conspirare, Vox

    Madison Opera, Opera for the Young, Fresco Opera, Motor City Lyric Opera, Comic Opera Guild, Madison Bach Musicians

  • Patrice helped me rediscover my love for singing, while providing a nurturing space to experiment and grow.

    Johnny Alfaro Perez

    Senior Scientist, Lyophilization Specialist, Int’l Flavors & Fragrances

    PhD, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

  • My work often requires extended hours pouring over books, writing, and sitting silently at a computer. My time with Patrice has taught me the importance of finding the time of day for artistic and expressive outlets. She has helped immensely to shape the artist that I am and that I am becoming. After a lesson with Patrice, not only does my voice feel newly freed and expressive, but my mind feels ready to process even the most difficult challenges that may be ahead. I've grown to understand that learning to sing is not only a physical action but is largely an emotional and psychological journey to self-understanding and self-realization; unlocking the voice's expressiveness and beauty comes from finding a balance and a healthy tension between body, breath, and mind. Her cool patience, witty humor, and ready ear have always made me feel welcome and have given me the permission to be me, to use my voice, to make a mistake, to fail and to triumph. When I first came to Patrice, I was hyperattentive to the physical mechanism and to the single note, which ultimately constricted my expressive ability, both physically and emotionally. That's not to say that I don't still have room to grow, or that I don't still fall back into these and other issues. On the contrary, the more I learn, the more I realize that the journey to vocal expressivity is never ending and cyclical. With Patrice's help, though, I am learning to feel what my body is doing and what my mind is saying so that I can shorten these cycles and ultimately overcome them. One of my favorite methods is "chunking" the music: working on a select few measures at a time to "feel" the music into my voice before applying the results to an entire phrase or song. I look forward to my continued journey with Patrice, and to pushing the boundaries of my own expressivity.

    Darren Kusar

    Ph.D. Candidate in Italian Literature, Dept. of Romance Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago

  • I loved my time in the Vocal Studies program. I had lots of opportunities to perform, in varied places with diverse programs, which helped keep me motivated and growing. Patrice is an amazing teacher and she managed to learn how to interpret what I said and felt, which was no mean feat! I improved a lot while in the Vocal Studies program, and I’m very grateful to Patrice for her teaching and her organization of the Vocal Studies Program.

    MurphyKate Montee

    2020 Vocal Studies Program, University of Chicago

  • I tremendously enjoyed my time in the Vocal Studies program. It was great to be able to sing in community and receive feedback from peers and coaches. The master classes and studio classes were excellent, and the yearlong themes were a lot of fun. I encourage anyone who would like to further engage with singing to join; it was fantastic to have a supportive vocal community and some extra structure and accountability in my vocal journey.

    Sarah Hough

    2020 Vocal Studies Program, University of Chicago